Apparatus for supplying bobbins to feeder disks



March 1 7, 1925.

APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYING BOBBINS T0 FEEDER DISKS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 25, 1924 A. BLAIS I I Inventor 1 Attorney March 17, 1925.

APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYING BOBBINS TO FEEDER DISKS Filed Aug. 23, 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Inventor Attamey 1,530,347 I A. BLAIS March 17, 1925. 1,530,347

A. BLAIS APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYING BOBBINS T0 FEEDER DISKS Filed Aug. 25, 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Mar. 17, 1925.

UNITED STATES g 1,530,347 I.?AT-ENT oFF-lcE.

i ADAM BLA'IS, OF MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA. 7

nrrnna'ros FOR snerLYINe BO'BBINS ro FEEDER DISKS.

Application filed August 23, 1924. Serial No. 733,785.

-T all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ADAM'BLAIS, a subject of the King'of Great Britain, residing apparatus for supplying bobbins'to the feeder disks associated with weaving machines.

These disks, as known in the art,ccarry a plurality of bobbins at their periphery. Between the disksis mounted anautomatic ejector for shifting the bobbins from the disksinto the shuttles as the latter are emptied. Thevbobbins removed from the disks are now replaced manually byan attendant whose only duty is to walk through the mill with a load of-bobb-ins and see' that the feeder disks are filled.

The object of the invention is to replace the services of this attendant by mechanical means for supplying .thembobbins to the feeder disks. This meansincludes a receptacle disposed near the disks andadapted to contain a large number of bobbins. Between the disks and inconjunction with the receptacle is provided a device for shifting the bobbins from the receptacle to thedisks. This device is connected to and operated from the intermittently moving ejector .so that the'bo-bbins are supplied to the disks at the same rate that they are removed therefrom. a

The invention further includes a novel device for holding the ends of the threads wound on the bobbins while the latter move from the receptacle to the shuttles. To this end, a wall of the receptacle is slotted, :and the threads are passed through this slot when the bobbins are first introduced in the receptacle. Depending from the receptacle is a weight around which the free ends of the threads. are wound. A thread, guide is secured to the receptacleand-extends between the feeder disks. As the bobbins. pass from the receptacle to the disks the threads move along the guide and their ends remain secured to the weight.

The invention is fully disclosed in the 'with a weaving machine.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the apparatus as applied to thefeeder disks of. aweav- "ing machine, one of the disks being re moved;

Figure '2 is a fragmentary section through one of the disks at the periphery thereof, showing'the manner in which the small end of a: spindle is received therein;

Figures 8 and 4 are details of Figures 6 and? respectively;

F igure' 5 is a plan view of the apparatus, a portion of the receptacle being omitted; V

'F igure'G is a section on the line 6-6 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a similar section showing the parts in another position;

'Figure 8 is a plan section of Figure 6; Figure 9 is a section on the line 9-9 of Figure 10;

Figure 10 is an elevation of one side of the receptacle Figure 11 is an elevation of the opposite side I Figure 12 is a detail front elevation;

Figure 13 is a. fragmentary plan view corresponding to Figure 12; and,

Figure 14; is a sectional view of the remainingfeede-r disk at the periphery thereof, showing the manner in which the larger end of a spindle is secured.

Reference will now be had to these views by means of like characters which'are employed to designate corresponding parts throughout. i

The apparatus is constructed for attachment to and cooperation with the feeder disks-1 and 2 (Figure 12) usually employed These disks are loosely mounted on a shaft 3 and are under spring tension, as well known in the art, causing rotation in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 1. The movement of the disks is, however, intermittent as pointed out below,

Near the lower part of the disks there is provided an ejector 4 pivoted on a shaft 5 suitably supported by the framework of the weaving machine. The ejector is moved on its pivot from the connecting point 6 in an intermittent manner as well known in the art. The free end of the, ejector carries a stem 7 which in turn carries a striking harnmer 7 The diskQ-is provided with a serie following description and in the accom- I panyingdrawings in which:

of notches 8 at the periphery thereof. The disk 1 carries a similar number of retaining members 9 each formed with a seat 10 for receiving the larger end 11 of a spindle as shown in Figure 14. The disk 1 carries a strap 12 in which is inserted a spring 13 bearing against a retaining member 9. By means of this construction the spindles are supported between the two disks by spring pressure. The bobbin beneath the hammer 7 is engaged near its smaller end by a spring pressed arm 13 to compensate for the more secure engagement between the larger end and the disk 1 (Figs. 1 and 12). Since this arm is a part of standard machines, the details thereof are not shown.

To the inner face of the disk 1 is secured a cog 14 concentric therewith and also loose with reference to the shaft 3. This cog is normally engaged by a stop 15 (Figure 1) carried by the ejector 4, and the disks are thus normally held against rotation.

This mechanism is so constructed that when a new bobbin is required in the weaving machine, he ejector is turned on its pivot 5 whereby the hammer 7 is brought down against the lowermost bobbinwhich is thus forced into the empty shuttle 16, as shown in Figure 1. In the present practice, the empty notches 8 and seats 10 are filled manually by an attendant who carries a number of bobbins from one machineoto another. The object of the present invention is to substitute a mechanical device for performing the work of this attendant.

For this purpose a receptacle 1'? is mounted adjacent the feeder disks and is supported on the base 18 which rests on legs 19. Gn the interior of the box a plank 20 extends from the forward wall 21 and terminates short of the rear wall, as shown in dotted lines in Figures 1, 10 and 11. To the free end of his member is attached a swinging flap 22 by means of hinge leaves 23 and 24. The members 24 are bent downwardly and serve to support a rotatable shaft 25 on, which is mounted a roller 26 disposed beneath the flap. One of the side walls 27 of the box is formed with a slot 28 through which the shaft 2.) projects.

The forward end of the base is projected in the form of a platform 29, the purpose of which is pointed out in more detail below. To this platform is secured an upright 30 having pivoted thereto one end of an arm 31 which extends alongside the receptacle, as clearly shown in Flgure 1. The exposed end of the shaft 25 has connected thereto one end of a link 32; the remaining end is adapted for adjustable attachment to the slotted free end 33 of the arm 31.

A shaft 34 is journaled to the lower face of the bottom 18 and carries at one end a star cam 35 and a ratchet 36, as clearly shown in Figure 9. The arm 31 has journaled thereto a roller 37 which engages the cam 35, as shown in Figure 10.

Near its rear end the base 18 has journalcd to the lower surface thereof a shaft 88. lying parallel to the shaft 34. The shaft 38 carries a pair of pulleys 39 which are in alinement with a pair of disks 40 on the shaft 34. Around the pulleys and disks are trained a pair of chains 41 from which project teeth 42. The disks 40 have projections 40 so spaced as to engage the links of the chains 41 and thus shift the chains whenever the shaft 34 is moved. The chains pass through slots 43 cut in the bottom 18 (Figure 9), and the upper laps of the chains thus pass over the bottom member.

The lower edge of the forward wall 44 of the receptacle is cut away as at 45 to permit the bobbins to passfrom the receptacle to the platform 29 and thence to the empty spaces of the feeding disks by the mechanism presently to be described. This mechanism is intermittent in its motion in the same manner as the ejector 4, whereby a bobbin is placed between the feeder disks for each bobbin that is removed therefrom into an empty shuttle. The mechanism therefor is preferably controlled and actuated from the ejector.

Between the disks 1 and 2 is supported a yoke 46 having a stem 47 which is secured to fixed and immovable part 48 of the machine frame. The arms of the yoke are channeled at their inner sides as shown by the numeral 49 in Figures 5, 6, 7 and 8. The free ends are also enlarged as indicated by the numeral 50. A frame 51 extends from the yoke and has a rod 52 passed loosely through the forward end thereof. The ends of the rod carry feet or blocks 58 which slide in the channels 49. The free ends of the frame carry hooks 54 adapted to engage the bobbin disposed on the platform 2-9. From one of the hooks extends a spindle 55, the free end of which is bent at right angles and bifurcated as at 56. .Vithin this bifur cated portion is pivoted a pawl 57 adapted to cooperate with the ratchet 36, as clearly shown in Figuresti and 7. This pawl passes through and is guided in a keeper 57 secured to the receptacle, as shown in Figure 1. The free end 58 of the pawl is bent under and formed with a plu rality of notches 59. The bifurcated part 56 carries an upwardly pointed finger 60, the upper end of which is formed with a crook 61. A coil spring (32 has one of its ends secured to the crook and the other end in one of the notches 59 and tends to press the pawl in engagement with the ratchet. The tension of the spring may be regulated by the adjustment of one end thereof in the notches 59.

The yoke carries a spindle 63 near its for ward end, and on this spindle are loosely mounted a pair of-bell crank levers 64. Each lever has one end joined to the shaft 52 by means of links 65. From the remaining arms of the levers depend connecting rods 66, as shown in Figures 1, 6 and 7.

The ejector 4 carries a second stem 67 near the free end thereof, as illustrated in Figures 1, 12 and 18. The members 66 support a plate68, the lower end of which is formed with a curved lip 69 surrounding the stem 67.

The enlarged portions of the yoke arms have pivotally supported therein blocks 70 having curved upper surfaces 71. The sides of the frame 51 carry pins 72 whichproject into the enlargements 50 and are adapted to engage the blocks.

The side wall opposed to the wall 27 is in the nature of a pair of flaps 73 and 74 hinged to the forward and rear walls of the receptacle, as shown in Figure 11. The free edges of the flaps leave a curved slot 75 and are secured by means of a latch 76. \Vhen a supply of bobbins is placed in the receptacle, the threads thereof are passed through the slot 75 and their ends are attached to a weight 77 which is in the nature of a twisted wire depending from the bottom 18, as

shown in Figure 11.

The operation of the device is as follows:

When the ejector is depressed to push a new bobbin from the disks into the exhausted shuttle 16 in the manner already known in theart, the bell crank levers 64 are turned on the spindle 63 through the medium of the plate 68 and connecting rods 66. This movement causes a shifting of the frame 51, the pin 72 passing beneath the blocks 70, as shown in Figure 3. The bobbin d1s posed on the platform 29 is retained by upper clips 7 8 and end clips 79, and 1s engaged by the hooks 54: at the beginning of the stroke of the frame. As the frame travels with the pin beneath the blocks,

the pawl 57 turns the ratchet 36, cam 35 and shaft 34. The chains 41 pull another bobbin from the receptacle through the slot at on to the platform 29, thus displacing the preceding bobbin and moving it between the feeder disks 1 and 2. At the same time, the shaft 25 and roller 26 aremoved elfected by means of springs 78 connecting the ends of the frame to the ends of the yoke. As the pins descend the curved surfaces, also on the return stroke, the hooks 54 are brought into engagement with the next bobbin.

As already stated, the disks are under spring tension with reference to the shaft 3, tending to turn in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 1. The disks, however, are locked against rotation by means .of the stop 15 carried on the ejector 1 and engaging the cog 14 which is secured to one of the disks. When the ejector is depressed, the stop is moved out of the path of the cog, and the disks are adapted to turn under the spring tension acting upon them. The motion of the ejector is such that it returns after the feeder disks and cog have turned one step, the teeth of the cog being equal in number-to the notches or seats in each feeder disk.

As the bobbins move from the top of the receptacle, across the bottom 18 and to the feeder disks, the threads thereof which have their ends secured to the weight 77 pass over a curved guide member 80 secured to the bottom and having its curved part disposed between the feeder disks. By means of this device the ends of the threads are held even afterthe bobbins are delivered into the shuttles. The lower edge of the flap 73 is cut away as at 81 to leave a space between it and the bottom 18 for the passage of the threads as the bobbins move along the bottom to the platform.

'VVhile a specific embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described,

it is to be understood that various alterations in the details of construction may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as indicated by the appended claims. V

P Having thus fully described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is 1. In combination with the feeder disks and intermittently operated ejector of a weaving machine, a receptacle adapted to contain a plurality of bobbins, a yoke fixed tothe machine,;a'frame slidable with reference to said yoke, an operative connection between the ejector and the frame for shifting the latter, and hooks carried by said frame for moving the bobbins from the receptacle to the feeder disks.

' 2. In combination with the feeder disks and intermittently operated ejector of a weaving. machine, a receptacle adapted to contain a plurality of bobbins, a yoke fixed to the machine, a frame slidable with reference to said yoke, an operative connection between the. ejector and .the frame for shifting the latter, hooks carried by said frame for moving the bobbins from the re ceptacle to the feeder disks, a conveyor adapted to pass along the bottom of said.

receptacle, a rotatable ratchet engaging said conveyor, and a pawl extending from said frame and adapted for engagement with said ratchet.

3. In combination with the feeder disks and intermittently operated ejector of a weaving machine, a receptacle adapted to contain a plurality of bobbins, a yoke fixed to the machine, a frame slidable with reference to said yoke, an operative connection between the ejector and the frame for shifting the latter, hooks carried by said frame for movingthe bobbins from the receptacle to the feeder disks. a conveyor adapted to pass along the li'iotton'i of said receptacle, a rotatable ratchet engaging said conveyor, a pawl extending from said frame and adapted for engagement with said ratchet, a cam. rotatable with said ratchet, an arm pivotally connected to the receptacle, a roller carried by said arm and engaging said earn, a flap swingingly supported. within the receptacle, and an operative connection between said. arm and flap.

f. in combination with the feeders disks and intermittently operated ejector of a weaving machine, a receptacle adapted to contain a plurality of bobbins, a yoke fixed to the machine, a frame slidable with reference to said yoke, bell crank levers pivoted to the yoke and connected to said frame and ejector, and hooks carried by said frame for moving the bobbins from the receptacle to the feeder disks.

5. In combination with the feeder disks and intermittently operated ejector of a weaving machine, a receptacle adapted to contain a plurality of bobbins, a yoke fixed to the machine, a frame slidable with reference to said yoke, bell. crank levers pivoted to the yoke and connected to said frame and ejector, hooks carried by said frame for moving the bobbins from the receptacle to the feeder disks, a conveyor adapted to pass along the bottom of said receptacle, a rotatable ratchet engaging said conveyor, and a pawl extending from said frame and adapted for engagement with said ratchet.

6. In combination with the feeder disks and intermittently operated ejector of a weaving machine, a receptacle adapted to contain a plurality of bobbins, a yoke fixed to the machine, a frame slidable with refer ence to said yoke, bell crank levers pivoted to the yoke and connected to said frame and ejector, hooks carried by said frame for moving the bobbins from the receptacle to the feeder disks, a conveyor adapted to pass along the bottom of said receptacle, a rotatable ratchet engaging said conveyor, a pawl extending from said frame and adapted for engagement with said ratchet, a cam rotatable with said ratchet, an arm pivotally connected to the receptacle, a roller carried by said arm and engaging said cam, a flap swingingly supported within the receptacle, and an operative connection between said arm and flap.

7. In combination with the feeder disks and intermittently operated ejector of a weaving machine, a receptacle adapted to contain a plurality of bobbins, a yoke fixed. to the machine, a frame slidable with reference to said yoke, an operative connection betweenthe eject-or and the'frarne for shifting the latter, hooks carried by said frame for moving the bobbins from the receptacle to the feeder disks, the ends of said yoke being enlarged and channeled, blocks pivot ed in said. ends and having curved upper surfaces, and pins extending from said frame into the ends of the yoke and adapted. to move beneath and over said blocks for controlling the engagement of the pawl with the ratchet.

8. .ln combination with the feeder disks and intermittently operated ejector of a weaving machine, a receptacle adapt-ed to contain a plurality of bobbins, a yoke fixed to the machine, a frame slidable with reference to said yoke, an operative connection between the ejector and. the frame for shifting the latter, hooks carried said frame for moving the bobbins from the receptacle to the feeder disks, the ends of said yoke being enlarged and channeled, blocks pivoted in said ends and having curved upper sur faces, pins extending from said frame into the ends of the yoke and adapted to move beneath and over said blocks for controlling the engagement of the pawl with the ratchet, a conveyor adapted to pass along the bottom of said receptacle, a rotatable ratchet engaging said conveyor, and a pawl extending from said frame and adapted for engagement with said ratchet.

S). In combination with the feeder disks and intermittently operated ejector of a weaving machine, a receptacle adapted to contain a plurality of bobbins, a yoke fixed to the machine, a frame slidable with reference to said yoke, an operative connect-ion between the ejector and the frame for shifting the latter, hooks carried by said frame for moving the bobbins from the receptacle to the feeder disks, the ends of said yoke being enlarged and channeled, blocks pivoted in said ends and having curved upper surfaces, pins extending from said frame into the ends of the yoke and adapted to move beneath and over said blocks for controlling the engagement of the pawl with the ratchet, a conveyor adapted to pass along the bottom of said receptacle, a rotatable ratchet engaging said conveyor, a pawl extending from said frame and adapted for engagement with said ratchet, a cam rotatable with said ratchet, an arm pivotally connected to the receptacle, a roller carried by said arm and engaging said cam, a flap swingingly supported within the receptacle, and an operative connection between said arm and flap.

10. In combination with the feeder disks and intermittently operated ejector. of a weaving machine, a receptacle adapted to contain a plurality of bobbins, a yoke fixed to the machine, a frame slidable with reference to said yoke, an operative connection between the ejector and the frame for shifting the latter, hooks carried by said frame for moving the bobbins from the receptacle to the feeder disks, a weight depending from said receptacle at one side thereof, said side being slotted, and a thread guide secured to said side and extending between said feeder disks.

11. In combination with the feeder disks and intermittently operated ejector of a weaving machine, a receptacle adapted to contain a plurality of bobbins, a yoke fixed to the machine, a frame slidable with reference to said yoke, an operative connection between the ejector and the frame for shifting the latter, hooks carried by said frame for moving the bobbins from the receptacleto the feeder disks, a conveyor adapted to pass along the bottom of said receptacle, a rotatable ratchet engaging said conveyor, a pawl extending from said frame and adapted for en agement with said ratchet, a weight depen ing from said receptacle at one side thereof, said side being slotted, and a thread guide secured to said side and extending between said feeder disks.

12. In combination with the feeder disks and intermittently operated ejector of a ing the latter, hooks carried by said frame for moving the bobbins from the receptacle to the feeder disks, a conveyor adapted to pass along the bottom of said receptacle, a

13. In combination with the feeder disksv and intermittently operated ejector of a weaving machine, a receptacle adapted to contain a plurality of bobbins, a yoke fixed to the machine, a frame slidable with. reference to said yoke, an operative connection between the ejector and the frame for shifting the latter, hooks carried by saidframe for moving the bobbins from the receptacle to the feeder disks, the ends of said yoke being enlarged and channeled, blocks pivoted in said ends and having curved upper surfaces, pins extending from said frame into the ends of the yoke and adapted to move beneath and over said blocks, a conveyor adapted to pass along the bottom of said receptacle, a rotatable ratchet engaging said conveyor, a pawl extending from said frame, said pins and blocks controlling the engagement of the pawl with the ratchet, a cam rotatable with said ratchet, an arm pivotally connected to the receptacle, a roller carried by said arm and engaging said earn, a flap swingingly supported within the receptacle, an operative connection between said arm and flap, a weight depending from said receptacle at one side thereof, said side being slotted, and a thread guide secured to said side and extending between said feeder disks.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

ADAM BLAIS. 

